Santa Margherita USA acquires majority ownership of ROCO Winery

Santa Margherita USA, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo, has acquired majority ownership of ROCO Winery in Oregon.

ROCO Winery was founded in 2001 by Rollin & Corby Stonebraker-Soles. Located in the Willamette Valley region, ROCO wines are highly regarded, with significant critical acclaim. Under the winemaking leadership of Rollin, ROCO Winery produces a range of wines, including pinot noir, chardonnay, and sparkling wines. The winery has been awarded over 100 scores between 90-95 points from
prominent wine publications throughout the past decade.

«Oregon wine is thriving. We knew we had to be at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing wine regions in the USA for our first foray in the international marketplace and first American winery» said Beniamino Garofalo, CEO, Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo. «The values of ROCO winery to Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo aligned harmoniously. Both parties believe in a focus on the regional terroir, a respect for the land, and, of course, the importance of the partnership which provides Rollin and Corby’s regional expertise».

«Our affinity and admiration for the U.S. made the location of our first international winery venture a natural choice. The U.S. marketplace is dynamic, and we believe in the quality of Oregon wines, specifically from the Willamette Valley region» said Gaetano Marzotto, President of Santa Margherita Gruppo Vinicolo.

«We are excited to become part of the Santa Margherita USA family and to be part of the future for ROCO Winery» - said Rollin Soles, Founder & Winemaker for ROCO Winery - «This new partnership will allow us the ability to continue making wines that are a true expression of their place».